Geelong could lose Paul Chapman on suspension for preliminary final against Hawks

Geelong's in-form forward Paul Chapman has been hit with a suspension which will wipe him out of Friday night's AFL preliminary final against Hawthorn.

But Sydney defender Ted Richards can accept a reprimand, freeing him to face Fremantle in the other preliminary final in Perth on Saturday night.

Chapman was booked for a high bump on Port Adelaide's Robbie Gray in last Friday night's semi-final.

If he contests the rough conduct charge, he will risk a two-match ban, meaning he would not play in the grand final either if the Cats make it.

Chapman will be a huge loss for the Cats. He kicked four vital goals in Geelong's come-from-behind win over the Power, and virtually sealed the win with his run-down of Kane Cornes late in the final quarter.

Richards faces a similar charge, for a bump on Carlton's Levi Casboult on Saturday night.

But whereas Chapman's offence was classed as reckless conduct, Richards' was deemed only negligent, meaning he avoids a suspension.